Greg Rusedski is a major force in tennis today with the fastest serve in the world, recorded at 149 mph. In 1998 he became the first Briton to beat Pete Sampras in a Super 9 in Paris, and since then he has gone from strength to strength, becoming a popular icon for British Tennis. Cliff invited Greg to become an Ambassador to the Cliff Richard Tennis Foundation in 1998 and he readily agreed. Greg talks here about why he is pleased to be involved with the charity:

'I began playing tennis in Canada at the age of 7 with my brother, Bill who is 3 years older than me so I know just how important it is to attract children to the sport at a really young age. That way they can build up their stamina and talent and develop a love of tennis before another sport gets a chance to take hold.

As I move around the world I sometimes get the feeling that the opportunities for youngsters are greater elsewhere than here in the UK and it's a shame because children are the future of the sport. That's why I believe so much in the work that Cliff and his team do and why I'm happy to be the Trust's Ambassador. The Cliff Richard Tennis Foundation is the only scheme of any size and stature that is actively encouraging this age group. Unlike other initiatives, this one also sustains children's interest in the game by linking with local tennis facilities to ensure that those children who get hooked on tennis can keep playing and improving.

I hope one day to be in the same tournament as one of the youngsters that the Cliff Richard Tennis Foundation has nurtured. I then may find myself on the opposite side of the net to one of Cliff's Trailblazers!'

Greg Rusedski

To find out more about Greg Rusedski, be sure to visit G-Force. The Official Greg Rusedski Fan Club:
http://www.advantage-tennis.com/rusedski/fanclub/info.htm